- 12:50 PM
- 07/05/25
Answering my own question: looks like 2009 was the last time there wasn't a UK player drafted in the first round.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:09 PM on June 26, 2025
I found it somewhat interesting that not only were there no Kentucky Wildcats taken in the first round, I don't recall even hearing the word "Kentucky" spoken last night.
They had two in the top ten last year, so maybe it's just a one-off thing related to the coaching transition, but that has to be a pretty rare occurrence.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:49 PM on June 26, 2025
Oh, even without Coop the Mavs would still be in a much better position than quite a few other teams are in right now. Any grousing from fans should be firmly directed at ownership/management, which is a whole different thing entirely, and I don't know that the current group will ever (or should ever) regain the level of trust they had just six months ago.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:29 PM on June 25, 2025
Also, as a kid that was in middle school in Tulsa during the peak of Jordan mania, it's *suuuuuper* weird that the Larry O'Brien rightfully belongs to Oklahoma for the next year.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:36 PM on June 23, 2025
A disturbing trend via r/nba: In the 33-year period from 1990-2023, 45 NBA players suffered torn achilles injuries, a rate of 1.36 per season.
This playoffs saw Hali, Tatum, and Dame Lillard.
The regular season included Dejounte Murray, Isaiah Jackson, Dru Smith, and James Wiseman
There was also one (Da'Ron Holmes) during Summer League.
Any talk of Asterisks is silly and can be rightfully ignored, but the What-Ifs will echo for quite a while, I'm sure.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:33 PM on June 23, 2025
I can't watch Holmgren any more. He doesn't want to be there. He was strictly an onlooker last night. If he doesn't show up on Sunday, OKC is going to have to figure something out.
He gets bodied by more physical big men and it has a tendency to take him out of the game. I'm honestly not sure there's a solution, either. When he's hitting his threes he's still a very valuable player, but if nothing else, this run has probably made next Summer's inevitable J-Dub vs. Chet decision much easier.
I'm *really* looking forward to Sunday. It should be a fun chess match.
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:19 PM on June 20, 2025
Rockies sitting around going "Hey! What the hell, man?"
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:24 PM on June 16, 2025
No, yeah, I'm with you and all, it'd just be a little easier if it weren't the team the Stars had just lost to in the conference finals for the second year in a row.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:00 PM on June 06, 2025
Stanley Cup Finals Game 1: Banger of a game, 90 seconds of 4 on 3!, ends late in OT
NBA Finals Game 1: Fun, fast-paced game, incredible late comeback, winning shot hit with 3.0 seconds left
Neutral fans are feasting this June.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:51 PM on June 06, 2025
That game had everything except dancing horses and a chainsaw juggler.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:12 PM on June 05, 2025
Oh wow, I don't think I ever knew that. Thanks, NoMich!
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:11 AM on May 22, 2025
Question for the hockey experts: If a player commits a penalty and the opponent scores on the ensuing Power Play, does their personal +/- take a ding even though they weren't on the ice?
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:49 PM on May 21, 2025
My picks:
Thunder in 7
Knicks in 7
Top point scorer: Jalen Brunson
Top rebounder: Rudy Gobert
Most points per game: Knicks
Least opponent points per game: Thunder
rcade, I didn't get my Jokic Rebounder Prop from the 2nd round. I'm still well in last, just not by as much.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:10 PM on May 20, 2025
Your friends weren't lying, NoMich. That was fuuuun.
I do wish Weedeater had stuck on for this leg of the tour, but what'cha gonna do?
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:12 PM on May 19, 2025
I'll be seeing The Melvins and Napalm Death tonight but am very much looking forward to the Thunder and Nuggets finale.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:10 PM on May 18, 2025
To his credit he squeezed an entire dynasty's worth of celebration into that one opportunity.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:06 PM on May 16, 2025
Oh, this isn't the first place I've seen that (or KD) brought up, NoMich, and it's fitting start to batshit hypothetical season.
I'll admit I haven't watched Flagg play a ton in-game (maybe a couple of halves of March Madness games, but that's about it), but his highlight reels are pretty damn impressive.
Given recent history and turnover in the organization I do worry a bit about the Mavs developing him properly, but at the very least there are a bunch solid vets* on the team (and coaching staff) that should be able to help him find his lane.
*I'm not downplaying Kyrie's past or anything, but he's been an exceptional Maverick and spends a *lot* of time working with the young guys.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:07 PM on May 14, 2025
Mainly: salary. Assuming Kyrie opts-in this Summer, they'll have ~$115million tied up in AD, Kai, and Klay alone. Adding a Supermax Salary would put them *deep* into luxury tax territory.
I'm also not sure that Giannis and AD would work well together on the court, especially offensively. They're basically the same player.
I would rather have Giannis than AD for a number of reasons, but 1) that would require a third team and I don't think there's a huge market out there for AD 2) Not at the expense of Kupp's potential.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:40 PM on May 13, 2025
Yeah, they won't be favorites to do so, but assuming they keep that pick and draft someone that actually sees some playing time, the Spurs have a non-zero chance at an unprecedented third consecutive Rookie of the Year.
Ngl, I'm pretty glad they didn't wind up with the first.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:37 PM on May 13, 2025
Downtown Dallas tourists in the near future will be hassled by peddlers offering "Souvenir Conspiracy Newspapers" about this whole ordeal. It's equal parts hilarious and maddening but more than anything just so very, very silly and I feel no shame at all that my reaction was to laugh like Robert DeNiro in "Cape Fear".
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:46 AM on May 13, 2025
Well that certainly was an exciting night of basketball. Whew!
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:45 PM on May 06, 2025
Revised picks:
Celtics in 6
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:43 PM on May 05, 2025
Don't see a 6 vs. 7 matchup too often.
I believe I read that this is just the third time ever.
The stats Giannis put up in round one are otherworldly. Sad we won't be getting more of that this postseason.
If Houston can find a way to get him while keeping Sengun and Amen, they're gonna be *nasty* next year. I kind of want to see it happen.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:00 PM on May 05, 2025
My picks:
Knicks in 6
Thunder in 5
Cavaliers in 7
Warriors in 7
Top point scorer: Steph Curry
Top rebounder: Jokic
Most points per game: Celtics
Least opponent points per game: Warriors
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:58 PM on May 05, 2025
My picks:
Bucks in 6
Clippers in 6
Pistons in 6
Lakers in 7
Thunder in 5
Celtics in 4
Cavaliers in 5
Rockets in 7
Top point scorer: Donovan Mitchell
Top rebounder: Ivica Zubac
Most points per game: Cavaliers
Least opponent points per game: Celtics
I'm especially looking forward to the Clips/Nuggets and Warriors/Rockets series, but officially: Go Pistons!
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:58 AM on April 19, 2025
Revised picks:
Knicks by 11 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 8 (slam dunk)
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:05 PM on April 11, 2025
Revised picks:
Kings by 6
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:59 PM on April 09, 2025
My picks:
Celtics by 8 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 12 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 7 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 11 (slam dunk)
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:58 PM on April 07, 2025
Revised picks:
Celtics by 19 (slam dunk)
Rockets by 6
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:18 PM on March 29, 2025
My picks:
Pacers by 10
Celtics by 12 (slam dunk)
Mavericks by 6
Celtics by 19 (slam dunk)
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:03 PM on March 26, 2025
My picks:
Pistons by 14 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 9 (slam dunk)
Pacers by 11 (slam dunk)
Kings by 18 (slam dunk)
Rockets by 10 (slam dunk)
Clippers by 8
Nice week, rcade. I don't know what your magic number to clinch is, but another one or two of those and you can call Laura Miller and start planning the parade route.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:58 PM on March 18, 2025
For a 24-point win, it didn't really feel sealed until maybe 5:00 or fewer minutes left. Denver kept going on little rallies that kept it just close enough to stay spicy.
It was a great time though. Felt more like a playoff game than your typical 12:00 (Spring Forward) Sunday match-up. The game atmosphere in OKC is pretty great right now (duh), and it was fun to see that they still have a lot of love for Russ.
Jokic is something else to see live though. I haven't been as impressed with someone's size/athletic ability combination since I saw just-past-his-prime Shaq.
It was also really nice to forget my basketball woes for a couple of hours. Worked great until my friend and I walked into a nearby burger spot that was showing the Mavs-Suns game and we arrived just in time to see Dwight Powell and Walker Kessler bang coconuts.
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:34 PM on March 11, 2025
My picks:
Pacers by 4
Thunder by 5
Nuggets by 7
Bucks by 9 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 10 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 7
Cavaliers by 13 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 4
Thunder by 7
Knicks by 9 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 2
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:23 PM on March 11, 2025
My picks:
Knicks by 5
Clippers by 11 (slam dunk)
Cavaliers by 13 (slam dunk)
Thunder by 7
Celtics by 11 (slam dunk)
Knicks by 3
Grizzlies by 14 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 8 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 8
Thunder by 9
Suns by 5
Cavaliers by 8
If all goes according to plan I'll be in the stands at the Thunder vs. Nuggets game on Sunday. Should be a really fun match-up with the bonus of Russ Westbrook playing good, competitive basketball again.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:37 PM on March 04, 2025
My personal favorite historical Pacer is Haywoode Workman, who flipped his basketball journey as a career bench player into a reffing gig. He also showed up at a Summer basketball camp I attended in like 1991 or 92. Nice dude.
The Pacers are technically the closest team to STL, just beating out Memphis. Unfortunately, that means they get blacked out on League Pass so I don't get to see them play very often. I'd would like to get out there for a game sometime though.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:12 AM on February 28, 2025
I haven't felt like this since I went to Steve Nash's first game back in Dallas after Cuban let him walk off to Phoenix. I didn't like it in 2004 and I don't like it now.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:52 PM on February 25, 2025
My picks:
Cavaliers by 16 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 7
Knicks by 13 (slam dunk)
Rockets by 11 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 9 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 6
Clippers by 4
Warriors by 14 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 5
Thunder by 12 (slam dunk)
Timberwolves by 9
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:30 PM on February 25, 2025
OT in the Four Nations Final? Yes, please!
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:15 PM on February 20, 2025
My picks:
Celtics by 12 (slam dunk)
Suns by 9
Cavaliers by 5
Rockets by 7
Nuggets by 12 (slam dunk)
Knicks by 4
Mavericks by 5
Cavaliers by 12 (slam dunk)
Thunder by 8
I won't speak for anyone else, but boy did I really appreciate a break from basketball.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:47 PM on February 20, 2025
My picks:
Warriors by 10 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 4
Heat by 6
Thunder by 14 (slam dunk)
Clippers by 15 (slam dunk)
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:20 PM on February 12, 2025
After Kendrick's half time show, I had to switch it off.
I left the game on mute but switched to music. Kinda enjoyed watching Mahomes scramble around, tbh.
For those that enjoyed K-Dot's halftime show, this article from Wired is an interesting inside look at the production effort.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:54 PM on February 10, 2025
My picks:
Eagles by 6 (lock)
Passer: Jalen Hurts
Rusher: Saquon Barkley
Receiver: Travis Kelce
Player with interception: There won't be any
Player with sack: George Karlaftis
Player with first turnover: Jaylen Hurts
Super Bowl MVP: Saquon Barkley
Tiebreaker: A week before her next album drop (I dunno, let's say July 11, 2025)
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:44 PM on February 09, 2025
completely decked out in green and white, wearing a comically oversized cowboy hat, wearing tons of beads, drunk on booze at 9 AM
So, a typical Saturday on Lower Greenville...
waiting for the championship parade to roll down
Oh, nvm. Those don't happen very often.
I honestly don't know what to do with my fandom. My plan is to kick the can down the road and watch the rest of this season play out with detached coolness. It should be objectively fascinating.
But my back will be up against the wall when it come time to renew League Pass next season.
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:17 PM on February 06, 2025
My picks:
Cavaliers by 6
Clippers by 3
Spurs by 6
Thunder by 13 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 29 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 4
Pistons by 4
Suns by 9 (slam dunk)
Knicks by 3
Bucks by 5
I'm so tired.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:25 PM on February 04, 2025
Cuban wasn't involved. It sounds like this was just a personal deal between old buddies Nico Harrison and Rob Pelinka and the Adelsons signed off on it (of course the Busses did too, but you can't blame them).
I don't know, man.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:36 PM on February 02, 2025
**angry confused yelling noises**
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:33 AM on February 02, 2025
My picks:
Knicks by 12 (slam dunk)
Thunder by 17 (slam dunk)
Cavaliers by 5
Rockets by 4
Nuggets by 8
Suns by 7
Knicks by 8
Celtics by 12 (slam dunk)
Grizzlies by 3
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:10 PM on January 28, 2025
My picks:
Commanders by 6
Bills by 7
Passer: Jayden Daniels
Rusher: Saquon Barkley
Receiver: Khalil Shakir
Player with interception: Taylor Rapp
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:23 PM on January 26, 2025
Revised picks:
Mavericks by 5
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:23 PM on January 25, 2025
My picks:
Bucks by 14 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 9 (slam dunk)
Spurs by 5
Nuggets by 8
Celtics by 13 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 8
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:35 PM on January 22, 2025
My picks:
Chiefs by 3
Lions by 14 (lock)
Eagles by 6
Ravens by 5
Passer: Matthew Stafford
Rusher: Saquon Barkley
Receiver: Nico Collins
Player with interception: Kerby Joseph (DET)
I think I'm still owed credit for Derrick Henry last weekend, rcade.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:59 PM on January 18, 2025
My picks:
Texans by 9
Ravens by 10
Bills by 14 (lock)
Eagles by 6
Buccaneers by 7
Vikings by 4
Passer: Baker Mayfield
Rusher: D. Henry
Receiver: J. Jefferson
Player with interception: Gardner-Johnson
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:57 PM on January 11, 2025
My picks:
Lakers by 4
Celtics by 6
Thunder by 8
Bucks by 5
Magic by 4
Thunder by 6
I've watched a fair amount of Thunder games this year, but limiting the Celtics to 8 (eight!) made FGs in the 2nd half the other night may have been the most impressive feat I've seen them accomplish this season. So far.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:53 AM on January 07, 2025
Revised picks:
Falcons by 10 (lock)
Commanders by 8
Packers by 7 (lock)
Texans by 9 (lock)
Jaguars by 3
Bills by 14 (lock)
Eagles by 13 (lock)
Buccaneers by 19 (lock)
Chiefs by 6
Chargers by 10
Seahawks by 9
Dolphins by 14 (lock)
Cardinals by 8 (lock)
Lions by 6
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:41 PM on January 05, 2025
My picks:
Ravens by 21 (lock)
Steelers by 7
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:31 AM on January 04, 2025
My picks:
Knicks by 13 (slam dunk)
Mavericks by 15 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 9 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 12 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 8 (slam dunk)
Hoping for a Christmas miracle today.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:53 AM on December 25, 2024
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle
Wemby's been working on his long-range game this Summer, seems to be working. Sheesh.